Indians take two from White Sox
CHICAGO -- Sleep was lacking after Friday's early morning arrival in Chicago, but the Cleveland Indians had more than enough energy to execute a sweep as a record-setting doubleheader that stretched into Saturday.
The Indians topped the Chicago White Sox 9-8 in the second game when Nick Swisher delivered a two-out, go-ahead home run in the ninth inning as Cleveland rallied from a 8-5 deficit.
"This was huge," said veteran Jason Giambi, pinch hitting in the ninth when the Indians scored one run on a wild pitch. "That's been the character of this ballclub, to kick and scratch and fight. We came in late last night and just kept going and going and going."
"That's an exciting feeling."
The combined seven hours and 53 minutes of baseball was the most in a doubleheader featuring two nine-inning games in Major League history. The previous longest was 7 hours 39 minutes on May 24, 1995, when the Chicago played host to Texas.
And the wait was well worth it for the Indians.
Earlier Friday, Cleveland matched a season-high run production in a 19-10 victory in the first game.
White Sox closer Addison Reed (3-1) suffered his fourth blown save and his first loss of the year with the ninth-inning breakdown in the nightcap.
Michael Bourn singled home Ryan Raburn for one run and pinch-hitter Asdrubal Cabrera made it 8-7 on Reed's wild pitch. Jason Kipnis' one-out sacrifice allowed Bourn to tie the score.
"Anytime I get in trouble I'm missing spots and not putting the ball were I want to put it and that was the case tonight," Reed said. ""They did everything they could to put the ball in my hands and I wanted nothing more than to close that game out and get the win."
Cleveland reliever Vinnie Pestano worked a scoreless ninth for his sixth save. Matt Langwell (1-0) pitched the eighth and picked up the victory.
The White Sox appeared in command after Adam Dunn singled in the then-tying and go-ahead runs with two out in the sixth off Indians reliever Rich Hill for a 6-5 lead. Chicago added two insurance runs in the eighth.
Alexei Ramirez drove in Alejandro De Aza with a single and Jeff Keppinger brought Ramirez home with a one-out triple for an 8-5 lead.
Game 2 starter Carlos Carrasco missed a chance at his first win since July 5, 2011. Carrasco, who sat out 2012 after elbow reconstruction surgery, was lifted in the sixth for Hill after giving up the tying runs.
He allowed six earned runs and 10 hits in 5 2/3 innings.
A 25-minute rain delay pushed back the start of the second game, but the Indians wasted no time once it started, jumping on Chicago starter Jose Quintana for four first-inning runs.
In the opening game, Cleveland shook off struggles by starter Trevor Bauer to rebound from a 5-0 first-inning deficit to eventually match their season high of 19 runs.
Seven Indians has multi-RBI days and all nine Indians batters had at least one hit and eight had two more.
Asdrubal Cabral, Jason Kipnis, Yan Gomes and Mike Aviles each had three hits. Raburn drove in four runs and Drew Stubbs had three RBIs.
"That was one of the most rewarding days I've ever been a part of," Indians manager Terry Francona said. "We held it together, we battled and then to have the results to show for it is exciting ... Today was one of those days where we used every single person."
Chicago gave up a season high in runs (19) and hits (21), and the most runs since May 21, 2009 vs. Minnesota.
NOTES: Dunn's first-inning homer was the 427th of his career, passing Billy Williams for 46th on Major League Baseball's leader board. ... White Sox OF Casper Wells made his first career appearance as a pitcher, working a scoreless ninth. ... Chicago reinstated 3B Conor Gillaspie from the paternity leave list on Friday after the birth of his son, Mason. ... Bauer's start was his fourth with the Indians after going 3-2 with a 4.13 ERA for Triple-A Columbus. The Indians also activated RHP Carlos Carrasco from Columbus to start Friday's second game. ... Cleveland optioned LHP Nick Hagadone to Columbus after he went 0-1 with a 5.40 ERA in 27 relief outings.
